What I Learned On My First Work Trip

May 6, 2016

I officially made it! I went on my first business trip and saying it is still really weird and adult-y. While typing this, I’m currently laying in one of two full-sized beds in MGM Grand after 4 hours of travel. But I traveled back in time through 2 timezones, so now I’m getting a little hangry waiting for these restaurants to open.

There was a huge conference happening in Las Vegas during the week and my company was hosting this late night party the first night. Enter me. Because I’ve had experience planning events and parties and because I work closely with the main players of this branch, I was one of the lucky few that were able to attend.

Excited to see how it’ll go. I’m imagining pretty glamorous things right now.

1. I’m officially over Vegas

Last summer, I think I visited Vegas AT LEAST 5 times, which is probably more than some people go in their lives. When I arrived at the hotel, all I could think about was settling back into bed and just hibernating until it was nighttime. I’ve been to Fremont Street, I’ve been to the container park, I’ve walked up and down the Strip more times than I can count.

At least, I’ve done everything that doesn’t require money. Vegas is cool and all, but even breathing the air on the Strip will cost a few bucks! And I wasn’t trying to go crazy solo style when gearing to stay up way past my bedtime later that night.

2. I’m terrible at timezone math

Originally, I thought the time zone would work in my favor. I wasn’t always the best in math, ok? Turns out, what I thought was going to be a party during 8PM – 2AM my time turned out to be a party 12AM – 6AM my time. I woke up around 3:30AM my time and arrived to see that it was 8AM their time. Which means that I had more than 12 hours to mill around, eat some good sushi, and take lots and lots of naps to prepare for that night.

Literally, this is how much sushi I ordered. I woke up in the middle of the flight so STARVING MY FACE OFF that I had to hit the “Notify Flight Attendant” button and ask for some noms. I don’t even remember the last time I hit that button; usually I try not to because I feel like that’s a little too much like ringing a bell for a butler or something.

3. People go crazy on work trips

The number of dad-age guys in suits crushing it on the dance floor was something that I almost couldn’t believe. These guys were all up around 8 am–I saw them because I tried getting some Starbucks and apparently they also single-handedly fund the corporation–AND were still showing up around 2 am to guzzle booze.

On the other hand, it was nice to see the people you work with in a after-hours sense. It makes them seem way more human and likable, especially when everyone’s trying to have fun.

4. My subconscious is also terrible at timezone math

My asshole brain didn’t recognize that I headed back to the hotel around 3 AM, technically 5 AM my time, and woke me up right on schedule as always… a measly 5 hours later. This is when I realized that checkout time was in a few hours.

Apparently Vegas is less forgiving when you’re no longer a hotel guest. Sure, it was unfortunate that the time I was up to get ready for the party is usually the time I start settling in for bed, but thanks to a healthy dose of Redbull, I was up and at ‘em!

5. I REALLY like coordinating events

It’s been a while since I’ve felt so wired and it’s made me realize that I seriously love organizing events. Especially when these events land you in multiple roped-off balcony boxes overlooking the dance floor, bottle service and bouncer included. I always thought that I was just a little over tour guiding last summer; it’s exhausting, you have to have everyone get along, you can’t really be yourself, etc.

But managing an event like this was phenomenally fun and just enough distance that I didn’t have to be talking to someone at every moment. Guys, I really miss tour guiding I guess.

6. I’m occasionally not over the club scene

Boom. Battle faced.

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with partying. I LOVE LOVE LOVE staying home, knowing that there are people out there who will be waking up super late and tired the next day while I go to bed at a normal hour and have a relaxing weekend. I love not getting jostled, not being followed, not having to deal with annoying people all around you.

But at the same time… I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dance floor (when I’m not dancing with anyone and I’m just being a fool). I love feeling the heavy bass and groovin’ with the music while burning all my excess energy off. I love meeting new people when I’m in the ZONE… and then I love leaving whenever I want if I start to not feel a place.

7. My BODY is definitely over the club scene

Guys, I can’t keep doing this anymore. It’s been a week and I’m STILL fighting exhaustion! When will this go away?? I’ve been so regular with my sleep that I get sleepy right around 9PM every single day.

That one night was great and all, but I’m still trying to get over it. Gah!

Like this:

I’m going on my first work trip next week and it definitely won’t entail any partying My body is totally too old for that and we have to work all throughout the day after all

http://www.twofeet-oneworld.com/ Jessi @2feet1world

Haha love this. I feel ya on the body condition. I love it at the time, hate it the next day(s)!

http://adventitiousviolet.com/ Camila @ AdventitiousViolet

haha too funny! I definitely feel the same about partying – I kind of NEVER feel up for it but then when I’m out I’m enjoying it so much, especially in good company. But the next morning I often feel like a truck ran over me – not hangover wise, but just body exhaustion wise!

http://www.laurenonlocation.com laurenonlocation

Love this! Still so many valuable things to be learned in life I totally feel the timezone stupidity and my body feelz ya on the late night partying! It’s so exciting that you’ve found something that you really love to do and having perks like traveling to work parties seems like a pretty good gig! Congrats on defying the world and being a fun adult!

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Hi, I'm Michelle, a 20-something Chicagoan speeding through life and trying to soak it all up. I've lived abroad in France, backpacked through Europe and Morocco, visited relatives in Taiwan, and now I'm working seasonally as a U.S. adventure tour guide. I'm addicted to pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone. Follow along as I navigate singledom, adulthood, and the world.